Ambleside Newsletter - March 2024

AMBLESIDE CAMPUS NEWSLETTER

welcome from the pro vice chancellor

Welcome to the latest issue of the Ambleside Campus newsletter This issue provides a range of news and opportunities to get involved in helping to shape the student experience at the University of Cumbria.

We are proud that Ambleside is the only University campus in the UK to be located within a UNESCO World Heritage site. This sense of place imbues our approach to education, from the intellectual legacy of Charlotte Mason to the contours of the landscapes that surround us.

Our location within the Lake District inevitably challenges us to confront the implications of sustainability on local, regional, national and global scales. Our Towards 2030 University Strategy commits us ‘to facilitate significant learning opportunities for all our students and staff to gain a deeper understanding about their role in the global challenges of making our planet more sustainable’ This will be a continued area of focus for us moving forward. There are already some fantastic sustainability-related initiatives underway at Ambleside. This includes the excellent progress being made by the Students for Biodiversity Project in reimagining spaces for nature and biodiversity on the campus.

A new project has been established to consider how we can drive forward education for sustainability across the entire University, providing opportunities for all students to participate in meaningful ways. There is a real opportunity for our University community to make a significant contribution to one of the greatest global challenges of our time

Over the coming months, we will keep you updated on how you can contribute to shaping our approach to education for sustainability. In the meantime, we would welcome your thoughts and feedback via studentfeedback@cumbria.ac.uk.

Dr Jonathan Eaton Pro Vice Chancellor

Campus Manager Welcome

Writing this in early March, it makes me realise that for most of our undergraduate students there are only have a few more months of teaching. Before you know it, final year students will be graduating and we will be celebrating with them in Carlisle Cathedral at their Graduation Ceremonies.

However, this second semester offers us many opportunities to also explore outside of the classroom and indeed your course. Joining a society, getting involved in a campus project or volunteering in the local community all offer a sometimes much need change and variety to the time spent at university.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Ambleside students for making our campus community as diverse, passionate, and fun. In my role I get to work with students in many ways supporting their ideas, visions, and help facilitate social events, projects, and campaigns. If for some reason you don’t feel you or your cohort are represented on campus, then do please come and see me with ideas and see what support we can give you to change that!

I would also like to thank our staff! To the academic teams at Ambleside for their unwavering dedication in teaching and professional service staff who work in student facing roles, supporting our students in their learning journey and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth functioning of our Ambleside campus.

With best wishes

Rob Wilson

Ambleside Campus Manager

How we communicate with you Student Connect

An Ambleside student specific Instagram page with all the latest events and activities both on campus and in the community On occasion, we will communicate key messages with you through this channel. Scan the QR code to follow the page.

Bi-Weekly update

This is sent from the campus managers team every two weeks on a Monday morning and reflects on anything that has taken place in the previous two weeks while offering a constant place to notify you of activity in the upcoming two weeks This will land in your inbox by 10am every other Monday

Blackboard site

Our Blackboard site acts as a mini-hub for students based on our Ambleside campus with specific information and activity (happening both on and off campus). For example, we have virtual noticeboards for careers, jobs and surveys for you to partake in. If there is something we add to these boards, we will notify you via the bi-weekly update.

Published every six weeks online and in hard reference copies, this publication is available to our students, staff and local community with positive news stories and updates about the Ambleside campus. Students can see archived newsletters on the blackboard site and staff can find this on the StaffHub mini-site.

Hello from Rose Proudfoot

Hi, I’m Rose, your new Student Engagement Coordinator at Ambleside.

I arrived, in dramatic fashion, during the January fortnight of ice, wind, snow and floods. I’m hoping this isn’t a bad omen!

I’ve relocated from Salford and I’m adjusting to life in Ambleside. I’m a trail runner, a poet, and a dog enthusiast, so I’ve basically lucked out and moved to a dream location. I’ve been blown away by this beautiful campus and how welcoming everyone has been.

Before this I was working in a bookshop in Manchester, I worked with students (mostly from fashion, design, and art courses) on zine making projects, pop-up shops, and workshops. I also organised community events like artist talks, queer poetry nights, and mini exhibitions.

My role here falls within student services, it’s part of my job to help you out if you’re having a difficult time, finding the transition to university hard, and to support you if you’re thinking about leaving.

Perhaps you’re not sure how you’re feeling or what you might need, but things aren’t going to plan, and you’d like to talk to someone about it Maybe you’re thinking of changing or taking a break from your course, or your circumstances have changed unexpectedly and you don’t know what to do. You can book an appointment with me through StEP and we can go over all your options together: uoc-advocate.symplicity.com/

I’m on campus most days so do get in touch and we can arrange a good time to chat. We can meet for a private talk, or a walk-and-talk if sitting still doesn’t suit you. I can signpost you to the right support, be someone you can come to if things go wrong, or simply listen when you need to vent.

I’m excited to be here and to start getting to know you all!

HEllo from Rachel Stephenson

Hello, I'm Rach.

I am the newest member of the active team on the Ambleside campus. Alongside working for the university, I run my own business, Earth & Sole where I offer yoga classes, workshops & retreats.

I started practising yoga in 2018 to find balance in my life and manage emotionally overwhelming situations. I have always enjoyed movement, dance and freedom of expression. Yoga changed my outlook on exercise and that looking after yourself should never be a way of punishing your body but an act of self-love.

When I’m not working, I love being outside, taking long walks, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends. I'd like to work together with the university to offer wellbeing activities on campus for staff and students, such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork sessions. I like to invite freedom into my classes, play energising music, mix up sequences and offer the opportunity to explore. Practicing yoga regularly can help you improve balance, flexibility, range of motion, and overall strength. It can also improve mental health, reduce stress, and ease anxiety, which is something we all need more of in our lives.

My days on campus are Thursday and Friday. If you have any questions concerning the classes we offer, please contact me

I hope to see you at a class soon.

Our recent big ticket events

We have seen a lot of brilliant events on campus in the past few weeks, starting with our welcome back breakfast. It was great to see so many colleagues and students to come and find out about our students for biodiversity project, enjoy their breakfast and to see everyone come back together following the Christmas break and assessment weeks.

Wednesday 6 March saw our annual spring fair. It was lovely to see so many of you there for an afternoon of fairground fun, a BBQ and getting together with staff and other students.

Thank you to the those who supported this event from our stall holders to our estates colleagues!

The next big-ticket event, offered through the institute of science and environment, will be GNAR. Further details to follow soon.

Students for Biodiversity project activity

The students for biodiversity group have made brilliant progress so far this calendar year in the instigation of the biodiversity management plan.

The group have been working on various areas of engagement including the promotion of the space for nature on the university website and at open days, staff and student consultation on the new campus greenhouse and looking at our plans further as we move towards the spring.

In a recent bi-weekly update to students and staff in Ambleside, the group asked for any feedback or concerns to be expressed about a greenhouse being placed near the Borrowdale building. Following one concern, which has now been resolved, the group will continue to work with our campus and estates teams to get this in place in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Graduation ceremonies in july ‘24

The summer graduation ceremonies for 2024 will take place in July . All students who are eligible to attend will have received an email at the beginning of March. If you believe you are eligible but have not received an email, please contact ceremonies@cumbria.ac.uk as soon as possible.

The summer graduation ceremonies will take place between the 16 July and 18 July 2024.

Further information can be found in the email, should you be graduating this summer, and by scanning the QR code.

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Plan

Since December, we have been developing a new Learning, Teaching & Assessment Plan to drive the future of education across the University. This work will ensure that teaching at the University of Cumbria remains innovative and exciting, and prepares students for sustainable success after Graduation. One area of focus has been the development of new UoC Graduate Attributes –the qualities which our graduates can expect to attain as a result of their time at University and which will contribute additional value both in the workplace and community. Last week, we ran a major consultative exercise with students on our proposed Graduate Attributes both online and across Library spaces. Thankyou to everyone who contributed their thoughts and ideas to this process. Student feedback will continue to challenge and shape our thinking.

The draft UoC Learning, Teaching & Assessment Plan will be presented to Academic Board for approval in March 2024, following further discussions with the Students’ Union and student representatives. Further information and opportunities to get involved will follow over the coming months as we move forward to implementation.

We are always keen to hear more from students about their experiences, including suggestions for any improvements that we can make. Alongside the various Student Voice mechanisms in place across programmes and Institutes, you can also email the University directly via studentfeedback@cumbria.ac.uk with your thoughts and ideas.

G e t t o k n o w Director of IBIL Dr Karen Hadley

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

There would be so many things. One is hard as I would include everything written by Charlie Mackesy (‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse’) But maybe… Find the right work life balance. Too much of either one isn’t good for you.

What is the most important life lesson you have learned?

You can’t please everyone – don’t lose yourself trying

What motivates you to work at the University of Cumbria?

I came to Cumbria just over 4 years ago because it offered the opportunity to contribute to something important… a relatively new university with big ambitions for people and place – in for and from Cumbria And it is that sense of purpose that continues to motivate me. We are small and there are some limitations and frustrations borne from that, but our size also means that each one of us can have a much more significant impact on our students, staff, employers and communities. And the people I work with are amazing.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

South West France… somewhere on the Dordogne like Beynac or Sarlat or La Roque-Gageac

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?

I’m not generally one for focusing on the things I might have done well but rather on the things that I could have done better (perhaps another thing I should warn my younger self about). But the hardest thing I’ve done is pass the New York Bar exam at the first attempt. Studying it whilst working full time as a Head of Law nearly broke me; travelling to Albany, New York in February to sit the exam and then having to wait for months… and then go back to complete the Professional Responsibility exam (at least that one was in New York City). That’s probably the thing of which I am most proud.

Student Services Information Blogs

Our student services directorate, as always, have a wide variety of information and resources that are available for you to tap into.

Our library, skills, support and careers teams have blogs and sites with loads of information and webinars for our students.

Information about each can be seen below.

Live Well, Learn Well Blog

From the mental health and wellbeing and skills@cumbria teams, this blog explores many areas around the relationship between mental wellbeing and successful study. There are several posts available through the QR Code.

Careers service update

Students can sign up to one of the career essentials webinars at any time through the link available in this QR Code.

Weekly library update

Each week, our library teams post an update on the link accessible through this QR Code. The information ranges from areas of opening times, information and IT tips.

*Ts & Cs and travel dates apply. Scan for details.

The University will be holding their own inclusive BRIT challenge to improve mental health and fitness while raising funds for the BRIT charity.

These updates and ‘activities per day’ will be posted on the central university social media channels (Instagram and X)

You can find out more about the charity, their ethos and aims, as well as what the challenge is all about, through the QR code above.

If you have any further questions about the BRIT challenge, please contact ambcampusmanagement@cumbria.ac.uk.

The Brit Challenge March 2024 Have you got something to tell?

We are always looking for news to share further with our campus community.

If you are a member of our campus community and would like to share something in the newsletter, please do get in touch!

ambcampusmanagement@cumbria.ac.uk

National Student Survey 2024 now open

For undergraduate students in their final year

As Spring gets fully underway, we want to remind final-year undergraduate students and apprentices that the National Student Survey is still open. If you are eligible to take part and you haven’t done so yet, please be aware that you are likely to receive reminder texts and phone calls from Ipsos Mori, the contractor employed by the Office for Students. The University can’t stop these reminder calls as the survey is conducted independently. If you do wish to complete the survey, the best way to stop the reminders is to use the QR code, or use the email sent to you on 8 February, to access it.

To thank you for taking part and giving us your feedback on what works best for you, the University donates £1 for every completed survey to Student Minds –the charity chosen to benefit by a poll of all students earlier this year The survey will close on 30 April – don’t risk missing out on the chance to tell us about your experience and to raise money for a great cause.

Upcoming Inaugral lecture

You are warmly invited to the Inaugural Professorial Lecture of Volker Deecke, Professor of Wildlife Conservation.

Born in Germany and raised in Austria, Volker Deecke received his BSc and Masters from the University of British Columbia and a Doctorate from the University of St. Andrews. He has studied killer whales and other marine mammals in Canada, Alaska, Iceland and Shetland. He is interested in the role of behavioural research in wildlife conservation, specifically understanding underwater communication and the effect of underwater noise.

Volker’s inaugural lecture, ‘A Sound Approach to Killer Whale Conservation: Understanding and Protecting the Ocean’s Top Predator’ will present the results of research using innovative digital recording tags to understand the foraging behaviour of mammal-hunting and fish-eating killer whales in the Northeast Pacific. Killer whales are the top predators in marine ecosystems and are found in all the world’s oceans, yet we know surprisingly little about how these animals communicate and find their prey. Volker’s research shows how new technology can help us understand how these animals communicate and find and catch their prey, and how underwater noise may be interfering with these essential life processes.

As the first in a series of three Inaugural Professional Lectures, we are delighted to showcase the incredible work of our esteemed colleagues, all of whom are wellregarded experts in their unique fields. The event, held both in-person and livestreamed online, will not only be a celebration of the successful research Volker has undertaken during his time with the University, but will also offer the opportunity to network with peers and colleagues beforehand, and enjoy canapes and a drinks reception postlecture.

Wednesday 20 March, 16:30.

streamed online.

Frequently Asked Questions about Everything!

At the desk in the barn, our Campus Assistants are there to support you with any enquiries you have relating to Student Life, Library and Skills and Student Support. This in person version of the Student Enquiry Point should be the first port of call for any enquiry you would like to make in person.

Below is some additional information about some of the specific services they are able to offer.

Also present at the Student Enquiry Point Desk in Ambleside are members of our Programme Administration Team. This team are there to provide a wide range of services, information, advice and guidance relating to different aspects of your course and study. Linked below is some additional information

Student Enquiry Point Video

Student Enquiry Point Online

Student Support Appointments

University of Cumbria news

Industry award for student filmmaker

Postgraduate student Peter Howarth has scooped an impressive industry award from the Royal Television Society (RTS) for his film that explores the potential of reintroducing one of Britain’s rarest mammals to the county.

Student Nursing Times Awards

Third year student nurses, Adele Taylor and Amy Crowle have both been nominated for this year's Student Nursing Times Awards.

Adult nursing student Adele has been nominated for the Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year and Student Nurse of the Year: Adult category. Learning disability student Adele has been nominated for Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disability category.

Stay up to date with university news

Stay up to date with our university news by searching news.cumnbria.ac.uk or scan the QR Code below

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Jobs In the local community

We frequently get casual job opportunities to share with students on the Ambleside campus. These are posted on the virtual noticeboard in the campus blackboard site. Where possible, we also try to post as many opportunities on student connect.

If you have any further queries, please look at the campus the virtual noticeboard on the blackboard site or email ambcampusmanagement@cumbria.ac.uk.

The latest opportunity, as seen below, is an opportunity sent through by the Lakes Parish Council who are looking for someone to support the re-opening of the White Platts Recreation ground later in the spring.

cumbria.ac.uk/Ambleside